June Highlights from the Public Engagement Network

The Dementia Carers Hub at Portchester Community Centre provides support and guidance to empower people to live the lives they want for as long as possible.

They run social groups for care partners and people living with dementia.

The Hub’s manager and volunteers welcomed PEN Community Engagement Officer, Diane Lewis, to the centre where she explained the role of Care Quality Commission (CQC) and how the Public Engagement Network contributes to their work.

Diane also received feedback from carers about health and adult social care. She heard that people rarely have the opportunity to see the same Psychiatrist more than once, which can be upsetting and cause anxiety for the people living with dementia.

Thank you to all at The Dementia Carers Hub for sharing such important feedback with us.

Thank you to Age UK’s Birmingham Carers Hub for including us at their meeting for carers of those living with dementia this month.

The carers spoke about their experiences of supporting people who are living with dementia and the mental health needs of carers.

Diane Lewis, who attended for PEN, found everyone at the group very supportive and insightful.

New PEN member, The Tamworth Wellbeing and Cancer Support Centre, is a registered charity helping to support people affected by all cancers and other chronic illnesses.

Diane Lewis, PEN Community Engagement Officer for the Midlands, was invited to the charity’s Wellbeing Session where she was shown a Twiddle Muff which people living with dementia use to keep their hands active and busy.

She heard peoples’ difficulty in accessing dental care, and experiences of their local hospital services.

Thank you to everyone at the centre who engaged with us!

Thank you to the Dementia Carers Hub who invited us to meet with carers at Titchfield Community Centre this month.

Diane Lewis, PEN Community Engagement Officer, spoke to the group who shared their insights and experiences of care for people living with dementia.

She heard about experiences of care at GP surgeries and hospitals, and how people felt about the long waiting lists they are facing.

Essex Carers Network is a network of families who care for for a family member with a learning disability and autistic people.

They work to ensure their families' lived experiences and voices inform and influence the future landscape and opportunities for people with a learning disability, autistic people and their families in Essex.

The network supports families by giving them the tools they need to feel strong, resilient, and empowered to advocate for their families.

It works co-productively with Essex County Council and other key organisations to find solutions to our families' challenges.

Marta Styk, PEN Community Engagement Officer, attended two meetings with Essex Carers Network’s Coordinator (Communications and Project Management) this month.

Thank you to all at Essex Carers Network for your time and valuable feedback, which will be passed to Care Quality Commission (CQC).